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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

Washing machine filter

17 replies

doinmummy · 22/01/2012 00:10

Where will I find the filter on my washing machine? Machine is at least 5 years old and i've never cleaned the filter ! Please dont say I've got to pull the machine out!

OP posts:

bruxeur · 22/01/2012 00:14

Well, as all washing machines are designed and built to exactly the same pattern, this should be easy to answer.

Seona1973 · 22/01/2012 07:56

I have to remove a kick plate at the bottom of my machine and then the bit to unscrew to get to the filter is behind it. What make/model is your machine as if you dont have the manual you could maybe google for it

mousyMouse · 22/01/2012 08:05

it usually is on the front either behind the flashing (that you can just take off) or there is a small door in the casing with a screw behind it. have a pile of towels ready when you unscrew because it's messy. I usually do it before a towel wash so that I can wash the towels right away after cleaning the kitchen floor...

mousyMouse · 22/01/2012 08:05

what make it the mashine?

PigletJohn · 22/01/2012 13:26

it is almost always behind the kick plate at the bottom of the front. Most likely it will be a round cap that unscrews by hand. If you have not had it off for years it may have got stuck in place and need a big spanner. If it gets broken you can buy a new one (I think between £5 and £10). If it is a Bosch it may have a little rubber hose next to it that you can use to drain the drum to prevent so much water flooding out when you open the filter. Put towels and a basin down anyway.

It will tell you how in the instruction book that you haven't looked at since the day you bought it

MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 22/01/2012 13:28

I have had my washing machine for nearly 10 years. I only found out for definite a month ago that there is no filter I should/can get to

Its a Hotpoint Aquarius Extra.

Original poster

doinmummy · 22/01/2012 20:48

Mine is a Hotpoint First Edition. Have taken the kick plate off the front but no sign of anything that unscrews.

OP posts:

mousyMouse · 22/01/2012 20:54

found the manual but it doesn't say anythng about a filter (but can't scroll on the ipad)

Seona1973 · 22/01/2012 20:56

I had a look too but it didnt mention a filter

MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 22/01/2012 21:02

I asked the washing machine repair man to make sure. I was hoping for an excuse to get a new one but unfortunately it was repairable

PigletJohn · 22/01/2012 21:17

no, it doesn't seem to mention one in the manual. Provided it is the correct manual for your machine, it might be worth phoning their repair service and information number 08709 066 066. if it was me I would try pulling off the kickplate for a look anyway.

Are you asking because it seems to have a fault? What are the signs?

mousyMouse · 22/01/2012 21:21

my mashine doesn't remove water as well when the filter is full. so cleaning it every few months helps.

Original poster

doinmummy · 22/01/2012 23:47

The machine is fine. I just thought I ought to clean the filter but if it hasn't got one then I guess thats one less job for me to do !

OP posts:

PigletJohn · 23/01/2012 00:33

I wonder where all the coins and bra-wires go? Phone Hotpoint and ask.

mousyMouse · 23/01/2012 07:38

the filter is where I used to find the accasional sock and bra wire when living in a shared flat...

MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 23/01/2012 09:08

I haven't lost any bra wires yet in this washing machine and coins turn up in the crinkle of the rubber seal. Still don't know where the socks go though

mummyflood · 24/01/2012 09:24

Beware if calling a repair man out for a filter/motor problem if you have a repair plan and you do not have an accessible filter to check yourself!!

I had a hotpoint machine which suddenly decided to stop draining. Called out the engineer, who 'diagnosed' a blocked pump filter. There were a couple of coins in it, which I could have easily sorted myself if the machine had a filter on the front. The word he used was 'negligence', and so apparently was the fact that I have also had to have bearings replaced previously! (was an obnoxious toerag in general but thats another story) but luckily apparently my plan has accidental damage built in. If it hadn't have had I would have been charged for the repair. Unfortunately however he managed to break the motherboard (long story) and the new one he returned with was faulty.

Ultimately I decided to replace the machine...and this time it has the filter on the front!!

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